by Thinus Ferreira
The small-town drama around a young man's attempt to restore the once-glorious Old Righteous Blues Christmas choir band to its former stature is South Africa's official Oscars entry in the Best International Feature Film category for the 97th Academy Awards.
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) announced that the South African Academy Awards Selection Committee chose Old Righteous Blues, set and filmed in the Western Cape province, as South Africa's official Oscars entry after an extensive judging process, which included scored reviews and in-depth deliberations.
The NFVF doesn't want to release the names of the panel of judges comprising South Africa's Academy Awards Selection Committee.
In Old Righteous Blues a young man confronts the long-standing consequences of a bitter feud started by his father two decades earlier which had split the choir in two and divided the community.
For twenty years, street battles ensued, families were torn apart, and loyalties were tested as the two rival bands claimed ownership of the town’s Kerskoor with destructive and violent consequences.
Old Righteous Blues has already won 11 awards at the kykNET Silwerskermfees film festival, Romford Film Festival 2024 and Panther City Film Festivals.
Some of the awards include Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Silwerskermfees for Joshwin Dyson, Muneera Sallies snagging Best Director at the 2024 Romford Film Festival, Ayden Croy winning for Best Actor at the 2024 Romford Film Festival, and Stefan Erasmus winning the category of Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Panther City Film Festival.
Distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution, Old Righteous Blues which was acquired by M-Net for kykNET (DStv 144) is based on an original idea by writer and producer Carol Shore.
Director Muneera Sallies says Old Righteous Blues is "an intense glimpse into the life of a young man, a
family, and a community. More than that it is an intense glimpse into a journey
and into the heart of brotherhood, tapping into immense stores of pain, love,
dreams, and courage".
"I was drawn to this project from the very first moment I
had first picked up the script. I was intrigued and captivated by the
characters and their stories within this little community, so much so that I
immediately decided to visit and experience the streets of Bo-Dorp Robertson."
Lebogang Mogoera, acting NFVF CEO, in a statement, says Old Righteous Blues "is a testament to the exceptional storytelling talent within South Africa".
"We are
honoured to have Old Righteous Blues represent us on such a prestigious
global platform, and we believe its universal themes of redemption, community,
and overcoming the past will captivate audiences worldwide."
Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, says "Old Righteous Blues is a powerful reflection of the complex and often painful dynamics of community,
legacy and redemption".
"The film's setting is truly local and the mesmeric
writing offers a unique and poignant South African perspective on unity and
hope amidst division".
"MultiChoice is dedicated to telling African
stories – produced and told by Africans – and taking them to the rest of the
world, where they stand shoulder-to-shoulder alongside other would-be Academy
Award contenders."
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net channel director for premium channels, says "The world which unfolds
in Old Righteous Blues is magical and unique to the rural Western Cape
towns where the movie was filmed".
"The story highlights the richness of South
African heritage, while also exploring universal themes of resilience and
identity."
"These Christmas choir bands are vehicles for joy and hope which the
film captures with grace, warmth and humour. We are thrilled for the teams
involved that this beautiful movie will represent the best of South African
film-making in the run-up to the Oscars in 2025."
The top 11 nominations in the Best International Feature Film category will be announced on 17 December 2024 and the final top 5 will be announced on 17 January 2025.
